Leukemia is a cancer of the blood that produces either abnormal white blood cells or too many of these cells in the bone marrow. As the cancer advances, it eventually blocks the growth of normal white blood cells which are important for fighting off diseases. Leukemia also overcomes red blood cells and platelets which interferes with oxygen flow through the blood and blood clotting.
There are four main types and several subtypes of leukemia, which are discussed below and in the fast facts section to the right. You will also find a featured video on new technologies used for diagnosis and treatment and news and blogs sections so you can keep up with the latest developments in the treatments for leukemia.MayoClinic.com: Leukemia http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/peds_hematology/leukemia.cfm
Types of Leukemia
- Acute Leukemia
- In this form, the changed leukemia cell proliferates, forming about a trillion more nonfunctioning leukemia cells, crowding out the normal cells which reduces normal production. Red blood cell counts drop causing anemia and a compromised immune system. This causes a decrease in the platelet counts, so patients bruise easier and bleed easier. There are two types:
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia - the most common form in children.
- Acute myelogenous leukemia - the second most common form found in childrenhttp://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/peds_hematology/leukemia.cfm
- Chronic Leukemia
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia - many white blood cells are produced, causing the blood flow to slow down and anemia.
- Chronic myelogenous leukemia - too many lymphocytes are made that do not function. May lead to anemia, low platelet and neutrophil counts, and the immune system is weakened.http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=7026
Symptoms
- Fever or chills
- Persistent fatigue
- Bone pain
- Frequent infections
- Easy bleeding or bruising
Treatments
United States Statistics
- New cases: 44,270 per yearNCI: Leukemia
- Deaths: 21,710 per yearNCI: Leukemia
Disclaimer
The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you have leukemia, please consult your doctor.
Excerpt from "The Secrets of the Sequence" on Finding Leukemia Cures
Research scientists have investigated the use of genomic typing as a replacement diagnositic technique for pinpointing the type of leukemia that patients have. This technique has helped identify and develop drug therapies that work with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) and Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL). With other types of leukemia, such as Acute Myeloid Leukemia, conventional chemotherapy is needed to wipe out the cancerous stem cells in the bone marrow, and afterwards bone marrow stem cell transplant can be done. However, only about 1 in 4 affected people find a match. There is current research on developing stem cell lines from cells of the patients as a cure. This type of approach has worked in studies on mice.
References
Fast Facts
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Derivation of the word
From Greek "Leukos" (white) and haima (blood); word developed by R. Virchow in 1855
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Causes
Cause unknown, however several risk factors have been identified: high-energy radiation exposure, genetic syndromes such as Down's, exposure to benzene, and possible electromagnetic fields
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Populations affected
Children and adults, all races, median age for diagnosis = 66
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General types
Chronic, where cells mature abnormally and accumulate; and acute, where immature cells (blasts) accumulate quickly because they don't stop dividing
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Type of bone marrow cells affected
Lymphocytic (begin in myeloid cells that make lympocytes) or myelogenous (beginning in myeloid cells that make platlets, red blood cells and whitle blood cells other than lymphocytes
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Most common childhood form
Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), 75% of children that are affected with leukemia
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New cases in 2009 in the United States
44,790
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Estimated deaths 2009
21,870
